The International Review of the Red Cross is a quarterly published by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Cambridge University Press.

DisclaimerTexts published by the Review reflect the views of the author alone and not necessarily those of the ICRC or of the Review. Only texts bearing an ICRC signature may be ascribed to the institution.

Highlights

Issue No. 883 – 2011

Theme – Engaging armed groups

DownloadPDF 6 MB Most wars today pit states against armed groups, and talking with such groups is therefore vital for all those working to promote compliance with the law and strengthen the protection of conflict victims. Reaching them, however, involves overcoming material, security-related, legal and political obstacles. What arguments can be invoked to convince armed groups? How can their adherence to international humanitarian law (IHL) be strengthened when they are themselves outlaws according to domestic law? How to engage with armed groups in an international context in which any dialogue may be perceived as a form of betrayal or complicity?

Table of contents

Editorial

Engaging armed groups

Interview with David KilcullenDavid Kilcullen, a leading expert on counter-insurgency policy, gives his views on recent developments relating to armed groups and military tactics, but also on some of the humanitarian community’s main concerns related to counter-insurgency strategies.

Detention by armed groups: overcoming challenges to humanitarian actionDavid TuckThe author presents the challenges inherent in approaching armed groups with regard to persons detained by them, and explores the options open to humanitarian practitioners in that regard. Tuck describes the ICRC practice in this field and its limitations, sharing the unique know-how that the organization has acquired throughout the years.

Closing the gap: symbolic reparations and armed groupsRon DudaiThe question of whether non-state armed groups could and should provide reparations to their victims has been largely overlooked. This article explores this gap, with a particular focus on symbolic reparations, such as acknowledgement of the truth and apologies.